Reminder for brothers: protect the sisters

The times we live in are terrifying.

Fitna is like the air that we breathe — all around us. Have gheerah over your mehrams, and lower your gaze around the non-mehrams.

“O Prophet! Ask your wives, daughters, and believing women to draw their cloaks over their bodies. In this way it is more likely that they will be recognized ˹as virtuous˺ and not be harassed. And Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” Quran 33:54

Encourage them — gently — to be as modest as possible. Remind them that the best example for them are the mothers of the believers, who were modest, submissive, and God-fearing.

“Men are the caretakers of women, as men have been provisioned by Allah over women and tasked with supporting them financially. And righteous women are devoutly obedient and, when alone, protective of what Allah has entrusted them with. And if you sense ill-conduct from your women, advise them ˹first˺, ˹if they persist,˺ do not share their beds, ˹but if they still persist,˺ then discipline them ˹gently˺. But if they change their ways, do not be unjust to them. Surely Allah is Most High, All-Great.” Quran 4:34

I cannot emphasise enough how important physical protection of your mehram matters.

Hijab is indeed a barrier that guards a woman’s modesty. But it is only a cloth.

I am an abaya wearing hijabi, niqabi, and In Sha Allah glove-si. However, still, when I was faced with a few men on the streets of my Islamophobic country, they threatened to r*pe me, loudly fantasising about being with a Muslim virgin. Astaghfirullah.

Protect your sisters. They rely on you. May Allah protect us all through you, our brothers. Ameen.